Advanced Graduate Certificate in Teaching Writing

 

Expand Your Expertise in the Teaching of Writing

All teachers regardless of grade are teaching writing in one way or another. Yet, research shows most teachers don’t have adequate training or support to truly teach students how to write.

WCU’s Advanced Graduate Certificate in Teaching Writing will give you a broad perspective of writing across grade levels and subject areas as well as both theoretical and practical applications for teaching writing in a variety of educational settings.

Our certificate program is 15 credits (5 courses) and is interdisciplinary in scope, bringing the best courses from our Education and English programs together. As a student in the advanced certificate program, you’ll come to see yourself as a writer, researcher, and advocate for your students and for writing education. Through the program, you’ll also be part of West Chester’s Writing Project (WCWP), one of the first and oldest sites of the National Writing Project (NWP).

The National Writing Project consists of a network of almost 200 sites across the country. They support our Teacher Leaders with research, advocacy, and support through webinars and other offerings. We adhere to the Six Social Practices of the National Writing Project and embed them into all our classes. Namely, they are Writing, Going Public with Our Practice, Learn/Engage the Profession (Research), Collaborate/Respond, Lead, and Advocate.

WCWP provides professional development, develops resources, generates research, and acts on knowledge to improve the teaching of writing and learning in local schools and communities.

Our goal is to provide you with the skills to implement effective teaching strategies with your students and bring out their best work by doing your best work.

 

Benefits of Earning Your Graduate Certificate at West Chester University

Flexible CEC Coursework

The Advanced Graduate Certificate in Teaching Writing was designed with working professionals in mind. Classes will be a mix of in-person and online/hybrid options. In-person classes are held in the evenings and over the summer to accommodate your schedule, and you’ll earn your certificate in just 5 courses (15 credits). All classes will be held at WCU’s Graduate Center, conveniently located between Rte. 202 and 100 just off Boot Road, with ample, free parking right outside.

WCU’s certificate program also qualifies for continuing education credits (CEC), benefitting current and aspiring teachers.

Accomplished Faculty and Small Classes

WCU employs outstanding faculty. Writing Project classes employ a combination of full time WCU faculty and local teachers who are Teacher Leaders at WCWP. Each professor brings their own expertise and interests to the classroom from education philosophy and linguistics to rhetoric and literary theory. They are frequent presenters at home and abroad and have published both professional and children’s books. The certificate program also invites a variety of local Teacher Leaders who share demonstrations and presentations with our classes, giving you an opportunity to network and learn from another local teacher and see tried and true tactics being implemented.

At WCU, our small graduate classes mean you’ll receive personalized attention and an individualized program experience with faculty who are deeply committed to providing mentorship, and support to each student.

Affordable Tuition

Affordability is part of WCU’s mission, and our tuition is among the most affordable in the region. To help put your graduate studies within reach, WCU also offers employee reimbursement options, payment plans, and graduate assistantships.

Personalized Career Advising 

As a graduate student at WCU, you’ll have full access to the Twardowski Career Development Center (CDC). The experts at the CDC will help you explore career options, write your résumé, perfect your interviewing skills, and create a job search strategy. The CDC also hosts employment fairs on campus throughout the year.

 

What Can You Do with a Graduate Certificate in the Teaching of Writing?

Our students are teachers, professors, tutors, curriculum leaders, and consultants. They choose this certificate program to gain more in-depth understanding of teaching writing to their students and also to hone their own writing, research, and advocacy skills.

The Advanced Graduate Certificate in Teaching Writing qualifies for continuing education credits (CEC) and can increase your confidence in the classroom, your leadership opportunities and pay scale, and will provide you with a support network of local educators.

 

What Will You Study as a Student in the Advanced Graduate Certificate in Teaching Writing Program?

The certificate program consists of 3 required courses and one elective. The Invitational Writing Institute is a 6 credit, required course and is held over three weeks during the summer to immerse you in the content and surround you with support—from mentors and regional educators to experiential learning opportunities. While additional elective courses are available with departmental approval, most students take the following course sequence: